A board-certified pharmacist is a professional who has achieved advanced certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) in a specific area of pharmacy practice. This certification demonstrates that the pharmacist has acquired specialized knowledge and skills in a particular area of pharmacy practice and has met rigorous standards of competency in that area. These pharmacists are the content experts in pharmacotherapy in these specialized areas of pharmacy practice.
To become a board-certified pharmacist, a candidate must first earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited college or university. After graduation, the pharmacist must pass the national licensure exam (NAPLEX) and the state-specific licensure requirements, which include a state pharmacy law exam and occasionally a compounding exam. Upon licensure, pharmacists must first complete a certain amount of clinical work experience in their chosen area of specialization through clinical practice, pharmacy residency experience, or a combination of the two.
A pharmacist may sit for the board exam with four years of pharmacy practice in the specialized practice area, two years of experience with a general one-year residency, or a general 1-year residency with a second year in the specialized practice area. Once the pharmacist has met these requirements, they are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the BPS.
There are 14 recognized specialty areas where a pharmacist can become board-certified. These include:
Cardiology Pharmacy
Compounding Sterile Preparations Pharmacy
Critical Care Pharmacy
Emergency Medicine Pharmacy
Infectious Diseases Pharmacy
Nuclear Pharmacy
Nutrition Support Pharmacy
Pharmacotherapy
Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy
Each area requires different expertise and knowledge, and the certification process is tailored to each specific area. The certification examination includes multiple-choice and case-based questions and tests the pharmacist's knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutics, patient care, and other relevant topics.
Achieving board certification in a specialty area demonstrates a pharmacist's commitment to their profession and dedication to providing patients the highest level of care. It also helps to differentiate them from other pharmacists with different expertise and training levels.
According to the BPS, there are currently over 50,000 board-certified pharmacists worldwide, and in the United States, only 15% of all licensed pharmacists are board certified. As the pharmacy field continues to evolve and become more specialized, the demand for board-certified pharmacists is likely to increase. The number of board-certified pharmacists has increased exponentially over the last ten years, and the number of available pharmacy specializations has also increased. Many experienced pharmacy positions now require board certification, especially in hospital and specialized ambulatory care settings.
The responsibilities of board-certified pharmacists vary depending on their practice setting, but they all commit to ensuring safe and effective medication use. In hospital settings, board-certified pharmacists are often part of interdisciplinary teams that develop and implement treatment plans for patients. They collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure that medications are prescribed appropriately, dosed correctly, and monitored for potential adverse effects. These pharmacists also provide a seamless transition of care upon discharge as patients return to their homes or long-term care facilities.
In community pharmacy settings, board certified pharmacists often work in collaborative practice settings with a multidisciplinary team to manage chronic diseases and counsel patients on proper medication administration and use. They may also provide medication therapy management services, which involve reviewing patients' medications to identify potential drug interactions, adverse effects, and other issues that could impact their health. Board certified pharmacists may also work in specialty pharmacy settings, such as oncology or infectious disease, focusing on managing complex medication regimens and ensuring patients receive the best possible care.
Board certified pharmacists also play an important role in education and research. They often teach and mentor pharmacy students and residents, sharing their knowledge and experience to help the next-generation pharmacists develop their skills. They may also research to advance the pharmacy field and improve patient care.
To maintain their certification, board certified pharmacists must participate in ongoing education and professional development. They must also adhere to a code of ethics and demonstrate a commitment to patient safety and the highest standards of practice.
